Offline
All of us car nuts aspire to a set of Snap-On tools for our garage, but I'd like to make you aware of an alternative. I work in industrial distribution (for the time being, but that is another story) and other than these being lines that I sell (in Wisconsin only), I have no connection with the manufacturers. You can save a considerable amount of money by purchasing these alternatives.
1. Facom.......... These tools are gorgeous! Griots Garage sells them through their catalogue, but you can buy them independently. Find a distributor in your area that sells SK tools. Facom owns SK, and you can often order the tools this way. Quality is great, lifetime warranty, they even look wonderful. Expensive, but the best.
2. Armstrong...... Whereas Snap-On focused on the automotive market, Armstrong went for the industrial maintenance and repairs. Prices are a fraction of what you will pay for Snap-On (similar to Sears Craftsman, in fact) but the quality is on a par, together with the selection. Allen (of the Allen wrench fame) is a sister company of Armstrong. www.danaher.com will give you more information, but any industrial distributor worthy of the name should be able to give you an up-to-date catalogue and pricing up to around 40-50% off list price. Try getting that from the guy on the Snap-On truck. Incidentally, Mac Tools is also a sister company, same products, different names on the handles, much lower prices. Lifetime warranty.
3. Cooper Tools..... Not a name that many are familiar with, but Vice-Grip is a brand name of theirs, and we all know vise-grips. They manufacture these tools for Snap-On, so by going with the original manufacturer, you will save money. They also produce a stunning range of electrical diagnostic tools. www.coopertools.com
4. Kennedy......Tool cabinets. Better than Sears, (MUCH better) but pricing in the same league. Similar in quality to the Matco, Mac or Snap-On cabinets but without the need for a second mortgage. www.kennedymfg.com for information.
I could go on........ Some industrial distributors will not sell to the public, it is best to ask. Go for the smaller independent distributor who is likely to sell to you over the will-call counter, avoid Grainger, MSC, and the like. Any questions give me a shout, I'll be happy to help you find a scource.
Steve
1. Facom.......... These tools are gorgeous! Griots Garage sells them through their catalogue, but you can buy them independently. Find a distributor in your area that sells SK tools. Facom owns SK, and you can often order the tools this way. Quality is great, lifetime warranty, they even look wonderful. Expensive, but the best.
2. Armstrong...... Whereas Snap-On focused on the automotive market, Armstrong went for the industrial maintenance and repairs. Prices are a fraction of what you will pay for Snap-On (similar to Sears Craftsman, in fact) but the quality is on a par, together with the selection. Allen (of the Allen wrench fame) is a sister company of Armstrong. www.danaher.com will give you more information, but any industrial distributor worthy of the name should be able to give you an up-to-date catalogue and pricing up to around 40-50% off list price. Try getting that from the guy on the Snap-On truck. Incidentally, Mac Tools is also a sister company, same products, different names on the handles, much lower prices. Lifetime warranty.
3. Cooper Tools..... Not a name that many are familiar with, but Vice-Grip is a brand name of theirs, and we all know vise-grips. They manufacture these tools for Snap-On, so by going with the original manufacturer, you will save money. They also produce a stunning range of electrical diagnostic tools. www.coopertools.com
4. Kennedy......Tool cabinets. Better than Sears, (MUCH better) but pricing in the same league. Similar in quality to the Matco, Mac or Snap-On cabinets but without the need for a second mortgage. www.kennedymfg.com for information.
I could go on........ Some industrial distributors will not sell to the public, it is best to ask. Go for the smaller independent distributor who is likely to sell to you over the will-call counter, avoid Grainger, MSC, and the like. Any questions give me a shout, I'll be happy to help you find a scource.
Steve